Rotary type can opener



March 23, 1943. E, MCLEAN 2,314,506

ROTARY TYPE CAN OPENER Filed Oct. 16, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet l gmc/who@ March 23, 1943. R. E. 'Mcm-:AN

ROTARY TYPE CAN OPENER Filed Oct. 16, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 btqwwn Mmh 23, 1943. R, E, MCLEAN 2,314,506'

ROTARY TYPE CAN OPENER v Filed Oct. 16, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 March 23, 1943. R, E MoU-:AN

ROTARY TYPE CAN OPENER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 16, 1942 @www Patented Mar. 23, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT? oFFlcE p ROTARY OPENR 'fllfm..

20 Claims. (Cl. 309) 'I'his invention relates generally to the class of implements or tools designed for the opening of sealed metallic receptacles, such as tin cans and the like, and the present application is based upon and sets forth certain novel improvements over the structures disclosed'in my prior Patents No. 2,294,507 of September 1, 1942, and No. 2,287,442 of June 23, 1942, uponwhich last-mentioned patent the matter of the first-mentioned patent is based, and over which it sets forth novel improvements.

A particular object of the present invention is to provide certain embodiments of a novel type of escapement mechanism which may be employed in connection with the several embodiments of my improved rotary can opener which is set forth in my prior patents above referred to.

The openers of my prior patents and my present application employ in association with a cutter and a can rim engaging and driving wheel which is rotated by means o f a crank, a cam means for effecting relative movement between the cutter and the driving wheel, and mechanism for cooperatively coupling the crank with the means for effecting relative movement between the wheel and cutter when the crank is turned in a desired direction so as to eil'ect shifting of the can toward the cutter to bring about a penetration of the can head by thecutter and the cutting out of the head or the shifting of the can away from the cutter after such head has been cut away.

The operative coupling established between the crank handle and the said movement effecting means is, as stated, intermittently operated upon the turning of the crank, and in the present case several forms or embodiments arel shown and described of a novel escapement mechanism carried upon the body of the implement, whereby the desired coupling of the handle with the means for producing the stated relative movement between the wheel and cutter is accomplisheduntil a limit of such movement is reached, whereupon such coupling will be automatically released or disengaged to permit continued movement of the crank for the operation of the driving wheel,

without affecting further the stated movement eilecting means. y

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel escapement mechanism for a'rotary type can opener, as above setforth, wherein the sev` of a small portion only which cooperates with the crank handle.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an escapement mechanism by which, upon rotation of the crank of the opener, the desired relative movement between the driving wheel and knife is effected, wherein the several movable parts are not only compactly housed upon the body of the implement. but in which such movable parts are constructed and coupled together in a manner to give a strong and sturdy construction and in a manner to effect the quick disconnection of the crank handle from the stated movement effecting means when the desired limit of such movement has been reached.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it being understood, however, that the invention is not to be considered as limited by the specific illustration or vdescription but that such illustration and descriptionA constitute a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view, partly in front elevation and partly in longitudinal section, of a rotary type can opener showing as a part thereof one embodiment of vthe improved escapement mechanism.

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation and upon an enlarged scale of the escapement mechanism -oscillated counter-clockwise to the position which it assumes when the cutting knife and driving roller have been separated and showing the posi-- tion of the crank handle at the moment of connection between the same and the escapement as the handle is being turned clockwise.

Figure 3 is a view in side elevation and upon an enlarged scale of the lower portion of the structure shown in Figure 1, showing the position of the parts immediately prior to theoperation of the escapement, aportion of the structure being in section.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but showing in dotted outline the positions of the parts of the escapement mechanism immediately following the release or disconnection of the crank handle therefrom.

Figure 5 illustrates in front elevation another embodiment of escapement mechanism, the upper part of the can opener not being shown.

'Figure 6 is a4 view in side elevation and upon an enlarged scale of the embodiment shown in Figure 5. showing the positions of the parts at the moment of disconnection of the elements of the escapement.

Figure 7 is a view in front elevation of another embodiment of escapement. the other parts o! the opener not being illustrated.

AFigure 8 is a view in side elevation of the escapement shown in Figure 7, a portion ofthe structure being broken away.

Figure 9 is a view in front elevation of still another embodiment of escapement, other parts of the opener not being shown.

Figure 10 is a view in side elevation of the escapement shown in Figure 9, parts being broken away. l

Figure 11 is a view in front elevation of still another embodiment of the escapement, other parts of the opener structure not being shown.

Figure 12 is a view in side elevation of the escapement shown in Figure 11, parts being broken away.

Figure 13 is a view in side elevation of a hand supported type of rotary can opener showing` another embodiment of escapement mechanism.

Figure 14 is a view in elevation of the thrust mechanism side of the form of opener shown in Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a view in front elevation of th opener shown in Figure 13.

Figure 16 is a view in top plan of the opener.

Figure 17 is a vertical longitudinal section taken substantially upon the line Il-I'I of Figure 13.

Figure 18 is a view in elevation of the thrust mechanism side of the opener shown in Figure 14, showing such mechanism shifted to the position in which the driving wheel is lowered.

Figure 19 is a view in top plan of still another form or embodiment of the hand supported opener and escapement mechanism therefor.

Figure 20 is a view in side elevation of the form of opener shown in Figure 19.

Figure 21 is a view, partly in front elevation and partly in vertical section, of a' further embodiment of my can opener which is directed particularly to a novel spring supported bearing for the eccentric wheel, which may be used in place of the spring arms shown in the instruments of my priorpatents and in Figures 1 and 3 to 6 of the present application.

Figure 22 is a view in elevation of the upper portion of the handle side of the implement shown in Figure 21, the shaft for actuating the driving wheel being in section and the handle removed, this view illustrating a modified form of escapement based upon the form illustrated in Figures 11 and 12. y

Figure 23 is a view in elevation of the upper portion of the implement upon the opposite side from the handle, showing particularly the mounting for the cutting blade.

Figure 24 is a view in top plan of the body plate and knife carrying portion only of the implement shown in Figure 21.

Figure 25 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section of the carrier for the spring supported eccentric wheel bearing.

Figure 26 is a sectional view on the line 26-26 of Figure 25.

Figure 27 is a view in perspective of the bearing and spring carrying unit per se, the bearing and springs being removed therefrom.

Figure 28 illustrates the application to the present improved eccentric wheel spring supported bearing of the form of escapement illustrated in Figures 13 to i8 of the present application, and in Figures 12 to 15 of the structure in Patent No. 2,287,442.

Figure 29 illustrates the structure of Figure 28 as seen when viewing the instrument in front elevation.

In Figure 1 a complete rotary type can opener is illustrated, the same being viewed in front elevation and the top portion thereof being in section. The upper part of this opener is illustrated and particularly described in a prior application and there is associated with this cutter one embodiment of the present improved escapement. This view of the' complete implement is given and will be described so that the application of the escapement may be clearly understood, but in the illustration and description of the embodiments shown in Figures 5 to 12 inclusive the entire implement, is not shown but only that portion of the body thereof upon which the escapement is mounted.

It will be understood that with these several embodiments of the escapement, any of the different forms of top construction illustrated in my prior Patents 2,287,442 and 2,294,507 previously referred to, might be employed.

In Figure 1 and in each of the subsequent figures the body of the implement is indicated generally by the numeral I. This body is in the form of a plate of suitable width and length and is secured at one end to a suitable supporting bracket 2' by which it is maintained in upright position. Between this supporting bracket and the body I is secured a plate 3,' from the rear edge of which there curves upwardly and forwardly the integral flat spring arm 4 which lies against one side of the plate body I, as shown in Figure 1.

At its upper end the plate bodyl is laterally offset to form a bearing shoulder 5 and from this oiset portion there extends obliquely upwardly the straight extension 6 which at its upper end merges with the short transverse portion 1, and this in turn merges with the downwardly extending terminal portion 8 which is in spaced parallel relation with the portion 6. These portions 6, I and 8 form the head of the implement and the portion 8 has an opening 8 formed therethrough which is coaxial with a coacting opening I0 which is in the portion 6.

Extending through the opening 9 is a bearing sleeve II which has a flange I2 at its upper end which limits its longitudinal movement through the opening. At its opposite end this sleeve extends into and terminates in the opening I0 and it is transversely flattened, at I3, toA coact with the correspondingly straight or flattened portion of the opening I0, whereby the sleeve is held against turning.

Extending through the bearing sleeve Il is a shaft I4 having the head I5 which, at the upper end of the shaft, bears against the sleeve flange I2 while at its other end, which extends a substantial distance beyond the head portion 6, it is reduced and threaded, as indicated at I6, to receive a rotary type cutter I1.

Rotatably mounted upon the shaft I4 and maintained in position against the adjacent side of the portion 6 of the head by the cutter I'I is an idler roller I8 against which the top edge of the flange of a can is pressed or forced by the hereinafter described driving wheel, in the operation of the implement.

Below the shoulder 5 the body plate I has an elongated opening I9 cut therein and extending transversely of the plate through this opening is .collar 23|. This collar nts snugly in the elongated opening I3 and is designed to rotate therein and to have movement longitudinally therein.

Upon the end of the sleeve 20 nearest the cutter I1 there is secured an eccentric wheel 22 which is in peripheral contact with and is retained between the shoulder 3 and the spring 4.

Extending through and secured in the sleeve 20 is a bearing sleeve 23 through which extends the crank shaft 24. The shaft 24 has secured upon that end nearest the cutting wheel i1, a can iiange engaging driving wheel 25 which is arranged with its periphery in the vertical plane of the lowest part of the idler wheel I3.

The structure thus far described is all set forth and particularly claimed in my companion lpplication and, as is set forth therein, when turning movement is given the eccentric wheel 22 in one direction the driving wheel 25 is caused to move upwardly toward the idler i5 and, if in engagement with the lower edge of a can flange during such movement, the can will -be forced up,- wardly so that the edge oi the cutting wheel i1 will be driven through the head of the can and thecan ange will be gripped between the driving wheel and the idler roller and continued rotation of the driving wheel will cause the can to be turned and the head to be cut out. rotation of the shaft 24 to turn the eccentric wheel 22 the driving wheel 25 will be lowered so that the can may be readily removed from the implement.

The numeral 26 designates the operating crank handle which is secured at one end to the shaft 24, and the desired operative connection between this crank and the eccentric wheel is established by means of the different embodiments of the mechanism about to be described.

The handle 26 carries upon the side nearest the body plate I atrip finger 21 which is here illustrated as being a part of a plate body 28 which Upon reverse i is secured to the side of the handle, although obviously it may be joined directly to the crank handle without forming a part of the plate shown. This trip'flnger 21 coacts with an escapement mechanism which is indicated generally or as a whole by the numeral 29 and which is interposed between the body i and the handle 26, as clearly shown in Figure l.

The escapement 29 comprises a plate 30 which is parallel with the body plate I and which has at its front, top and back edges `the-inwardly extending iianges 3|, 32 and 33, respectively. The front flange 3l has the opening or recess 34 therein for the purpose hereinafter described.

Extending upwardly from the inner edge of the top flange 32, in close proximity to the body I, is an ear 35 through which extend the sleeve 20, the bearing vsleeve 23 and the shaft 24 and, as shown in Figure 1, the sleeve 20 is fixed to this ear so that rotary movement may be imparted to the -sleeve 20 about the bearing sleeve 23 by the swingv ing of the escapement mechanism plate 30.

Secured to the plate 30 and disposed upon the inner side thereof, which is the side nearest the body plate I, is a pivot stud 33. Pivotally supported upon this stud 33 is a trigger arm 31 which extends downwardly below the arcuate lower edge o! the plate 30, as is clearly shown in Figure 3.

The trip finger 21 is suitably positioned upon the crank handle 23 to move lengthwise oi' butin spaced relation with the arcuate lower edge of the plate 33 so as to strike the sides'of the trig-v ger. These opposite sides vof the trigger are angled with respect to the length of the trigger.

- against the front face 38 of the trigger 31.

as indicated at' 38, so that a fiat contact will be made between the trip finger and the trigger when other end of the snap link 4I is pivotally con-- nected through the medium of the element, and the elements 40 and 44 are pivotally joined together by the pin 45 which, when the snap link is substantially straight, as shown in Figures' 2 land 3, is opposite the opening 34 in the ange 3i. One of the elements, here shown as the element 40, is extended slightly beyond the pivot 45 to form the stop tail piece 46 which comes into engagement with the top flange 32, as illustrated in Figure 4, when the snap link is broken to limit the relative movement of the elements.

The body plate i carries a trip pin 41 which is positioned to enter the opening or 'recess 34 when the escapement mechanism is swung forwardly, and engage the snap link 4I at its transverse center, as shown in Figure 3, to effect the breaking of the link In the operation of the implement as just described, when the eccentric wheel 22 has been rotated counter-clockwise to the limit of `its movement in .this direction the driving wheel 25 will be moved down away from the cutter I1 so that the rim lflange of a can may be readily inserted to engagel over the driving wheel in the manner well known fin connection with can open ers oi.' the type set forth. The escapement mechanism 29 will then be in the rearwardly swung position in which it is shown in 4Figure 2. The movement of the escapement tol this rearward position may be accomplished by imparting counter-clockwise turning movement to the handle 23 so as to bring the ilnger 21 around At the same time the snap link will be straightened, as shown in Figure 2, and the trigger 31 will be swung to theI limit of its movement toward the rear flange 33 of theplate 30.

After the can has been placed in position in a known manner so that the flange rests upon the top of the driving wheel 25, the crank 23 is swung around clockwise to the position in which it is shown in Figure 2 so that the trip finger 21 will be brought to bear against the back edge 33 of the trigger. crank will then cause the mechanism to swing downwardly and forwardly, causing the eccentric wheel 22 to be turned so as to-raise the driving wheel and the can and force the head of the can against the edge of the cutter i1 by which the head is penetrated. When the can has been raised so that the cutter is forced through the head and the can rim flange is secured between the driving wheel 25 and the idler I3 the escapement mechanism will be approximately in the position shown in Figure 3 with the trip 41 bearing against the central part of the snap link 4I.

The continued application of force to the crank y,

will cause the trip to break the snap link, as

I. shown in dotted outline in Figure 4, thus swing- 'I'he application of force to the,

tinued clockwise rotation of the crank handle for the complete removal oi the can head In the embodiment of the escapement shown in Figures 5 and 8 the plate body upon which the escapement is shown as being mounted is indicated generally by the numeral I", while the driving wheel is designated 25, the eccentric wheel is designated 22e and the spring upon which it bears and the shoulder overlying it and which it contacts are designated 4* and le, respectively. 'I'he crank handle is designated 29* and the trip nger carried by the crank handle is,l designated 21.

The escapement unit as a wholev is indicated by the reference character 29e. This escapement unit comprises the plate body 43 which has the inturned top ange 49, from the inner edge of which extends upwardly the ear 59 which is operatively coupled with the eccentric wheel in the same manner as the ear 35 of the mechanism shown in Figure 3. The rear edge oi the Y plate body 48 is bordered by the inwardly ex-` tending ilange 5I which is directed toward, the adjacent body I8l and which terminates at the arcuate lower edge of the plate body, as shown in Figure 6. The forward edge of the plate 49 also has an inwardly extending flange which is indicated by the numeral 52 and which extends from the arcuate lower edge oi.' the plate upwardly toward but terminates short of the top flange 49, thus leaving the recess or entrance opening v53.

Adjacent the lower edge of the plate 49 and nearv the backiange 5I, the plate carries a pivoted stud 54 upon which is oscillatably mounted the trigger 55 which extends below the arcuate lower edge of the plate and which has the oblique front andrear contact edges 56, for engagement by the trip ilnger 21e` Extending forwardly and substantially at right angles to the-length of the trigger 55 and from the pivoted end of the trigger is a bill 51 which coacts with the downwardly and forwardly curving lower end portion 58 of a latch arm 59. 'I'his latch arm 59 is pivotally supported upon the stud 60 which is carried by the plate body 49, as shown in Figure 6, its connection with the pivot stud being substantially midway between its ends and the upper end portion 6i is somewhat heavier than the lower portion 58 and extends straight upwardly across the opening 53. Secured to the body plate IB is the trip pin or arm 41 which is so positioned that when the escapement mechanism is swung down and slightly forwardly, as shown in Figure 6, it will enter the opening or recess 53 and strike the upper end portion 6l of the latch arm.

When the mechanism 29I is in the prepared position corresponding to that of the mechanism 29 in Figure 2 the heavier upper end portion 6| of the latch arm will tend to drop downwardly or toward the front of the plate 48, thus swinging the lower portion 58 in position across the bill 51. Consequently. when the crank 2BEL is swung around clockwise to bring the trip linger into contact with the rear edge 56 of the trigger 55 the trigger will be held by the latch arm against oscillation, and the crank and escapemerit mechanism will be operatively coupled together 'until the mechanism is swung down to approximately the position shown in Figure 6. Upon approaching this last position, the trip arm will enter the recess 53 and will stop the forward movement of the upper end portion of the latch arm, causing the latter to oscillate so as to release the bill 51, thus permitting the trigger to be swung forwardly and upwardly out o! the way and out ot contact with the trip linger.

This permits the continued clockwise turning of 5 the crank handle. v

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 'I and 8 the plate body is generally designated yby the reference character I-b and the y crank shaft upon which the drivingv wheel and crank are mounted is indicated by the reference character 24 but the said wheel and handle have not been shown. Only the essential parte of the escapement mechanism have been illustrated in these ilgures and in the embodiments shown in l5 the subsequent ilgures as it is believed that the association and. operation of these parts with the other parts of the cutting implement will be well understood from the description given in connection with the embodiment shown in Figures l to 6 inclusive. 'Ihe bearing sleeve encircling the crank shaft 2 4h is indicated by the reference character 23h, and the sleeve to which the eccen- \tric wheel, not shown, is coupled is indicated by the character 2l.

In the embodiment of the escapement shown in Figures '1 and 8 the escapment is indicated as a whole by the reference character 28h, and it comprises the plate 52 vwhich has an opening 53 through which the shaft 24h and bearing sleeve 23 extend. At its top edge is the inwardly extending flange 93', with the inner edge oi which is Joined the downwardly extending ear 64 which is secured to the eccentric wheel sleeve 20" in the same manner as the ear is shown secured 35 in Figure 1 to the corresponding sleeve 20. Thus,

it will be seen that upon turning the plate 52 around the axis of the shaft 24b the desired turning movement will be given to the eccentric the forwardly and downwardly extending trigger 61, the lower end of which projects beyond the lower edge of the plate and has the front and rear oblique contact edges 68 which are engaged by the crank handle carried trip finger, not shown. The lower end portion of the trigger is disposed, when the escapement mechanism is in the release position where the handle carried trip linger may oscillate the trigger so as to escape therefrom, slightly forwardly with respect to the vertical center of the implement so that the rear contact edge 58 extends across the line 0 of the vertical center. The trigger has formed integral therewith the upwardly extending arm 99 which, when the trigger is in the position just stated, is in contact with the bearing sleeve 23h, as shown in Figure 8.

Forwardly from the arm 69 the plate 62 carries, adjacent its top, the pivot stud 10 upon which is pivotally mounted the bell crank shaped latch 1| which has the relatively long downwardly extending leg 12 and the rearwardly 70 extending leg 13 which terminates in the downturned hook bill 14. This hook bill is adapted to engage the back edge of the arm 69 which forms a part of the trigger and is caused to swing downwardly for this purpose by the longer leg 12, when the escapement is oscillated to a position corresponding to the position of the escapement 28 in Figure 2 so as to prepare the implement to receive a can. Thus, the latch and the arm of the trigger are coupled together so that the'"`erank handle carried trip finger, not

shown, when brought into engagement with the back contact edge 88 of the trigger will force the escapement mechanism to swing downwardly and forwardly.

The numeral 41b designates a trip pin or arm l bearing sleeve of the crank handle shaft is Awhich is secured to the body plate Ib in the indicated by the reference character 23, the

crank handle supporting shaft being designated 24, but the crank handle which 'it supports not being shown. The reference character 28 designates the sleeve which is coupled with the eccentric wheel, not shown.

The escapement is indicated generally by the reference character 28 and this comprises the plate body 15 which, at its upper end, has the inwardly extending top flange 16 which merges ,with theear 11 through which the sleeve 23 freely extends and which is secured to the bearing sleeve 28 for the purpose of effecting the turning thereof. The bottom edge of the plate 15 is arcuate as shown and the front edge'has the inwardly extending flange 18 extending part way down from the top edge of the plate while the back edge has the longer inwardly extending back flange 19 which extends from'the top of the plate to the arcuate bottom edge.

At a substantial distance above the bottom edge oi' the plate 15 there is secured the pivot stud 88 upon which is pivotally mounted the trigger 8| which extends downwardly beyond the lower edge of the plate and which, at itsI lower end, is bent to extend slightly forwardly so that the lower end will be in line with the i shaft 24, as shown, when the escapement mechanism is hanging in the position which it assumes when the cutter of the device and theI in the clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of the handle.

TheV numeral 83 generally designates a snap link which comprises an upper substantially triangular plate portion 84 and a slightly arcuate lower portion 85. The plate portion 84 is pivotally connected at one point of the angle, by the pivot stud 88, with the plate 15 adjacent the top and forward edges thereof. Atthe rear lower corner of this triangular plate a pivot stud 81 couples one end of the snap link portion 85 therewith, while the' other end of this link portion is pivotally coupled, as indicated at 88, with the trigger 8|, below the pivot.80 therefor. It will be seen that the construction of the snap link 88 which connects the trigger below its pivot with the forward upper corner of ,the plate 15, is such that when the escapement mechanism is hanging in the manner shown in F|g. ure 10, the forward side of the triangular plate portion 84 will be substantially vertical and` the pivot 81 will be slightly in advance of the line connecting the centers of the pivots 88 and 88. The flange '18 prevents the portion 84 swinging forwardly beyond a desired position.

Secured to the body plate I in a position to be passed over by the flange 18 ofthe escapement plate 15 is a trip arm 89 which extends laterally into the path of movement 'of the plate portion 84 of the snap link.

Whenthe form of the mechanism shown in Figures 9 and 10 is in prepared position, corresponding to the position of the former embodiment 29 shown in Figure 2, the snap link -83 will tend, by gravity, to straighten out so as to maintain the lower end of the trigger 8| in position to extend below the lower edge of the plate 15 and thus when the crank handle, not shown, is brought around in a clockwise direction to engage the trip finger, not shown, carried thereby with the back edge 82 of the trigger, the` trigger will be held against oscillation so' that the escapement mechanism may, as a whole, be turned to turn the eccentric wheel which is coupled with the sleeve 28. When the limit of downward movement of the escapement mechanism is reached the trip arm 89 will enpermitting the trigger to swing upwardly and out of engagement with the handle carried trip finger, thus freeing the latter and permitting the handle to be further turned to complete the clockwise rotation thereof.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 11 and 12, the body plate is indicated generally by the numeral ld, while the bearing sleeve for. the crank handle supporting shaft is indicated by the reference character 23, and the shaft is indicated by the character 24d, the crank handle not being shown. The character 20 designates the supporting sleeve for the eccentric wheel, not shown, Whichsleeve has the escapement mechanism coupled thereto.

The escapement mechanism as shown in Figures 11 and 12 is indicated generally by the character 29d and comprises the plate body -80 having at its top edge the inwardly extending flange 9| which merges with the inwardly extending back edge flange 82 which extends downwardly to the arcuate lower edge of the plate 90, as shown in Figure 12. The plate 98 has the central opening 93 through which extends the sleeve 2lid and the shaft 24d and extending downwardly from the inner edge of the flange 9| is the ear 94 which freely encircles the sleeve 23d but is secured to the sleeve 20l for thepurpose of imparting rotation thereto.

Adjacent the back fiange 92 and near the bottom edge of the plate 98 is secured a pivot stud 95 to which is pivotally attached the forwardly and downwardly extending trigger 98, the lower end of which is disposed directly beneath the shaft 21|d and projects below the arcuate lower edge of the plate 90, as shown in Figure l2. This trigger, like the ones of the other embodiments, has the forward and rear obliquely directed contact edges 91 for engagement by the trip finger, not shown, which is' carried by lthe handle, not shown, of the implement upon clockwise` and counter-clockwise rotation thereof.

Integrally connected with the trigger 96 at the pivot is the upwardly and forwardly extending arm 98 which has the downwardly curving terminal portion 99 which extends over the shaft and sleeve 24i and 23d, respectively, and terminates near the forward edge of the plate 90.

The numeral generally designates a snap link which has a portion |0| pivotally attached at one end to the terminal portion 99 of the arm 90, by the pivot stud |02. This portion |0| of the snap link hangs downwardly, as shown in Figure l2, or extends substantially parallel with the adjacent side edge of the plate 90, when the end of the trigger 96 is projecting beyond the arcuate edge of the plate. Pivotally connected by the stud |03 with the lower end of thelink portion 0|, is a shorter link portion |04 which extends upwardly and has its upper end pivotally attached by the pivot stud |05, to the plate 90. The link portion |04 is, as shown in Figure 11, in the plane of the terminal portion 99 and the pivot |05 connecting the link portion |04 with the plate 90 is rotated substantially midway between the ends of the link portion |0| and is slightly rearwardly out of line with and between the pivots |02 and |03. Thus, the accidental breaking of the snap link when force is applied to either side of the projecting end of the trigger 96 is prevented until a rearward thrust is applied to the joint of the snap link, at |03, to force this joint rearwardly as the escapement mechanism is swung forwardly.

The desired rearward thrust to the joint of the snap link is obtained through the action of the trip arm |06 which is carried by the body plate Id, as shown in Figure 11, so as to be in the path of movement of the joint of the snap link as the latter is swung forwardly. 'I'he accidental breaking of the snap link is prevented by the provision of a stop finger |01 on the edge of the plate 90 which extends inwardly across the two portions of the link, as shown in Figure '11.

From the foregoing it is believed that it will be readily apparent that the escapement just described, when in prepared position for operation, will be disposed at an angle rearwardly from the body |fI like the escapement 29 of Figure 2 so that when the implement handle is turned clockwise the trip nger, not shown, will engage the rear contact edge 91 of the trigger and force the escapement mechanism to swing downwardly and forwardly. When it has moved to its limit the joint of the snap link will engage against and will be stopped in its forward movement by the trip arm |06, thus forcing the joint to swing rearwardly under the pivot |05 and releasing the trigger so that the latter will oscillate forwardly and upwardly away from and out of connection with the crank handle carried trip finger.

Figures 13 to 20 inclusive illustrate two hand supported types of rotary can openers constructed in accordance with my invention and showing improved embodiments of escapement mechanism for operating or shifting the driving wheel relative to the can head piercing cutter.

In the form of the hand supported Itool illustrated in Figures 13 to 18 inclusive the body plate is indicated generally by the reference At its upper end this body plate has the laterally turned head portion |08 which, as shown best in Figure 16, is of reduced width and merges with the downwardly directed knife |09, the blade or cutting edge ||0 of which is directed obliquely across the plate and is in spaced relation therewith.

The lower end of the plate has the laterally turned foot portion which engages against the side of a can to maintain the same in proper parallel relation with the body plate while applying the device and cutting out the can head.

The upper part of the plate body has formed therein the relatively short longitudinally extending guide opening l I2 and through this opening extends the shaft ||3, the diameter of which is substantially equal to the inside diameter of the opening in which the shaft turns and slides.

The shaft I3 has secured to the end adjacent the blade ||0, the toothed driving wheel ||4 which is disposed in a plane between the blade and the body while upon the other or outer end of the shaft is secured the handle ||5 which is formed at the inner side or adjacent to the body to provide the two oppositely disposed trip shoulders I I6. These shoulders correspond to and perform the same function as the trip finger 21 of the implement shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive.

Enclosing the upper part of the body plate I from the rear or back edge thereof is an oscillating yoke which is indicated generally by the numeral ||1. As is best seen in Figure 16, this yoke comprises an outer arm ||6 and an inner arm in spaced parallel relation with the outer arm, as indicated at ||9, and an intermediate web portion |20 which connects the arms and extends across the rear edge of the plate |e in spaced relation therewith. The two arms of this yoke are suitably apertured for the passage therethrough of the shaft ||3, the arm ||9 being disposed between the driving wheel ||4 and the plate body le, and the yoke ls free to oscillate upon the shaft.

The yoke arm ||9 has integrally connected therewith and extending downwardly from the bottom edge thereof, a rigid ear |2| which, together with the yoke, forms an element of a thrust mechanism by which, upon the forcible oscillation of the yoke in one direction, the yoke will be made to move toward the head |08 so as to raise the driving wheel relatively to the cutting blade'. The other element of this thrust means comprises the link |22 which is pivotally coupled at one end by the stud |23, with the ear |2|, while its other end is pivotally secured to the lower part of the body plate by the pivot stud |24, an end of which is fixed to the body plate, as is clearly shown in Figure 17. The pivot stud |24 is substantially in line lengthwise of the body plate with the center of the opening ||2 and of the shaft ||3 so that when the yoke is in the position where it extends substantially perpendicular to the length of the body plate, the link and ear will be parallel, as shown in Figure 14, and the driving wheel I4 will be in its uppermost -or raised position or, in other words, in position to rotate a can to effect the cutting out of the head thereof.

The desired oscillation of the yoke to effect the raising and lowering of the driving wheel upon clockwise and counterclockwise turning of the handle ||5, is effected by the cooperative action of the shoulders ||6 and two oscillating members, one of which is in the form of a bellcrank element, as indicated generally by the numeral |25. while the other is in the form of a triple eared coupler, indicated generally by the numeral |26.

The bellcrank element is pivotally attached by the pivot stud |21 to the arm IIB of the yoke'.

slightly above and in front yof the shaft H3, as shown in Figure 13, and has a latchlng arm |23 which extends across the shaft toward the rear of the implement and a trip arm |20 which extends downwardly across the front of the shaft ||3 and beyond the lower edge of the arm IIB.

The coupler is plvotally secured to the arm H3, rearwardly of the shaft ||3 and slightly below the same, as shown in Figure 13, and this coupler has the upwardly .extending and downwardly extending ears |30 and |3I, respectively, and theforwardly extending intermediate ear |32 which, as best shown in Figure 16, is extended outwardly slightly so as to be disposed in the path of rotary movement of the handle trip shoulders H8.

The lower ear |3| of the coupler extends slight--`V ly below the lower edge of the yoke arm I I8 and adjacent this lower ear, the arm ||8 carries the outwardly extending stop |33 which limits the clockwise turning of the coupler.

The forward end of the yoke arm carries the outwardly directed stop |34 which is in the path of movement of the trip arm |29 and below this stop the plate carries the two oppositely directed stops |35 and |36, the first of which is substantially in line with the joint between the ear |2I and the link |22, to limit the movement of this Joint while the second stop is in the line with the lower end of the arm |29.

In the operation of the -opener of Figures 13 to 18 inclusive, if, at the start, the parts are in thc position shown in Figures 13 and 14, the user turns the handle ||5 counterclockwise, thus bringing one of the trip shoulders IIB around against the under side of the intermediate ear |32 of the coupler. This will tend to swing the coupler so as to bring the ear |3| against the stop |33 which is carried by the outer arm of the yoke and, since further independent rotation cannot then be given the handle, the handle and the yoke will be oscillated together in a counterclockwise direction and break the linkage connection between the yoke and the ilxed pivot |24. This will permit the shaft I3 to drop down in the opening I2 so that the driving roller will be properly spaced with respect to the cutting edge I0 to receive the flange of a can.

After the can flange has been introduced between the driving roller and the point of the cutting blade so that such blade point will be directed toward the head of the can upon the inner side of the flange, clockwise rotation is imparted to the handle H5, thus bringing one of the shoulders ||3 around against the tcp of the intermediate ear |32 of the coupler.- When the yoke was oscillated in the manner previously described, it will be seen that the pivot |21 for the bellcrank is swung down and toward the under side of the shaft ||3, and the trip arm |29 of the bellcrank tends to swing by gravity to a vertical position. thereby lowering the point of the latch arm |28 to position in front of the upper ear |30 of the coupler. Consequently, when the stated clockwise rotation is given to the handle and one of the shoulders I8 is brought into contact with the top of the intermediate ear |32 the coupler will be held against oscillation and, therefore, further turning movement' of the handle independently of the yoke cannot occur. yoke to be turned with the handle until the yoke 'is brought back to the horizontal position in which it is shown in Figure 13, thereby straightening the linkage mechanism and forcing the This will cause the feed roller upwardly to the position shown in Figure 14. Just before this final position of the can feed or driving roller is reached the trip arm |29 will be brought into contact with the stop |36,

thereby oscillating the bellcrank and lifting the latch arm |28 out of engagement with the upper ear |30 and freeing the coupler for oscillation.

Continued clockwise turning may then be given the handle as the shoulder which had engaged the top of the intermediate ear |32 will then be free to movel down past the intermediate ear.

In the form the invention illustrated in Figures 19 and 20 a somewhat similar escapement mechanism is employed. In this form of the invention the body plateis indicated generally by the reference if and the lower end of this plate is provided with the inwardly directed foot |31 for engagement. against the side of a can while the top is turned to form the head |38 which merges with the knife |39.

This body plate lf is provided with a longitudinal opening, not shown, corresponding to the opening I2 shown in Figure 17, and through such opening extends a shaft |40, upon the outer end of which is carried the handle |4|, while the inner end carries a toothed driving wheel shown in dotted outline in Figure 19, and indicated by the numeral |42.

The numeral |43 generally designates a yoke corresponding to the yoke I1. VThis yoke has the inner and outer legs |44 and |45, respectively, which are connected by the web |46 and between the legs the body If is received. as shown in Figure 19. The inner leg |44 is operatively coupled with the plate body if by a linkage, not shown, like that shown in Figures 14 and .-18. The operation will, it is believed, be readily understood without the necessity of illustrating such linkage onnection between the leg |44 and thevplate ody.

The handle shaft |40 passes. through the two legs of the yoke and is freely rotatable independently thereof.

The outer leg is extended at its forward end, as indicated at |41, beyond the'forward edge of the body plate and has pivotally attached thereto, at an elevation below that of the shaft |40,the bellcrank |48. The pivot stud for the bellcrank is indicated by the numeral |49 and, as shown,

' this crank has one arm |50 which extends rearbe engaged by one or the other when the handle is given clockwise or counterclockwise rotation.

The forward edge of the body plate has the forwardly extendin portion |54 which carries a laterally directed stop |55 which is disposed forwardly of and in the path of movement of the depending crank-arm |52 so that the forward swinging motion of this arm is limited.

Carried by the outer arm |45. at its lower edge,

is a movement limiting stop |56 against the upper side of which the roller |5| normally bears.

When the yoke |43 is horizontal, as shown in Figure 20,` the can rim engaging driving wheel |42 is in its raised position with respect to the knife |39. In order to adjust the device for the insertionef a can rim, counterclockwiseturning motion is given the handle |4| so as to bring one of the shoulders |53 around against the top oi' the roller lill, and since the roller is prevented `from swinging downward by the stop |56 it will be readily seen that the turning motion of the handle will-be imparted to the yoke, and thus the linkage mechanism, not shown, connecting the yoke with the plate body will be broken in the same manner as illustratedin. Figure 18 in connection with the thrustvor linkage mechanism of that device, thus permitting the driving roller to be lowered. After the can rim has been placed in position clockwise rotation is given the handle which will bring a shoulder around against the side of the roller and thrust will be imparted to the forward end of -the arm |45 below the pivotal center ofthe shaft, and thus cause the yoke to be oscillated back to horizontal position. As the yoke swings back tothis horizontal position, the end of the depending trip arm |52 will be brought into contact with the stop |55, thus causing the bellcrank to swing and the roller |5| to be raised, thereby permitting the shoulder which has been in engagement with it to ride under the roller and swing upwardly, the roller swinging away to the left and the shoulder swinging to the iight. Thus, continued rotation may be given to the handle until the full use of the device is completed.

In Figures 21 and 22 there is shown a furthe embodiment of my can opener structure in which are illustrated an imp-roved bearing unit for the eccentric wheel which is so designed that it may be readily applied or used upon the instruments shown in the preceding figures and inthe structures of my prior patents, in place of the spring arms there illustrated, and a modified form of escapement based upon the form illustrated in Figures 11 and 12 of the present application. Details of the eccentric wheel spring supporting unit are set forth in Figures 25 to 27 inclusive, while Figures 23 and 24 illustrate particularly a modied and improved mounting for the can head penetrating and cutting blade.

Figures 28 and 29 illustrate the manner in which the improved spring supported bearing may be employed in association with the toggle escapement illustrated in Figures 12 to 15 0f my prior Patent 2,287,442. In Figures 21 to 23 the body of the instrument or body plate is indicated generally by the reference character I9. This plate at its top or head end has the laterally extending portion |51 while adjacent its lower end it is slightly offset to form the shoulder |58. The portion of the body plate below this shoulder has secured thereto the forward end of the supporting bracket or arm |59 which corresponds with the bracket 2 of Figures 1 to 4. The top edge of this bracket is flush with the top of the shoulder, as shown in Figure 21.

The central part of the laterally directed edge of the portion |51 has a recess |60 therein, as shown in Figure 24, and at the inner edge of this recess there is secured to the portion |51, the vertical bracket |6| which has a laterally directed upper end portion |62 which merges with a depending portion |63, the lower edge of which lies within the recess |60. This upstanding unit comprising the parts |6| to |63 forms a. support for the lateral extension |51, as shown in Figure 21.

Asis also shown in this gure, the cutting edge |66 of the blade extends -below the head portion |51 of the plate.

The body plate |g has formed therein the vertically extending elongated recess or slot |61 which corresponds with the slot I9 of the structure shown in Figures 1 to 4. Through this slot extends the sleeve |68. This sleeve is of an overall diameter substantially equalling the width of the slot |61 so that it may move vertically therein and also have rotational movement.

Extending through the sleeve |68 is a bearing sleeve |69 and through the bearing sleeve extends a shaft |10 which has secured to the end nearest the blade |64, the toothed can driving wheel |1|.

The sleeve |68 extends into and is firmly secured to the eccentric wheel |12, at that end which is nearest the driving wheel |1 I. As shown in Figure 21, a portion of the end of the sleeve is suitably swaged over to secure it to the eccentric wheel and the lower part of the sleeve is cut square across so as to establish a connection with the eccentric wheel which will prevent relative rotary movement between the same and the sleeve.

The numeral |13 designates the improved resilient or spring bearing unit which is designed for application to the body plate to provide a yieldable support or bearing for the eccentric wheel |12. 'I'his unit |13 comprises a plate |14 which is designed to position between the eccentric wheel |12 and the body plate I8 and opposite vertical edges of'this plate |14 have the flanges |15 which extend across the edges of the body plate to assist in maintaining the bearing unit plate in position.

At its central portion the bearing unit plate |14 has a vertically extending opening or slot |16 which is of the same dimensions as the slot |61 with which it aligns to receive a portion of the rotatable eccentric sleeve- |68, as shown in Figure 21,

The lower edge of the bearing unit plate |14 rests upon the shoulder |58 and formed integral with the side edges of the bearing unit plate at the bottom thereof, are the arms |11 which are in spaced relation with and extend across the front of the plate |14 to form a box in which is retained the corrugated strip spring |18 and the elongated bearing block |19 which rests upon the spring, as shown in Figure 25. The spring rests upon the top edge of the bracket |59 and supports the block |19 beneath and in the plane of the eccentric wheel |12, the edge of which bears against the top edge of the bearing block, as shown in Figure 21. Upon the opposite side of the body plate from the unit |13, is disposed the escapement mechanism which cooperates with the operating handle of the instrument to effect the desired movement of the eccentric wheel and driving wheel relative to the edge of the cutting knife. This escapement mechanism comprises an oscillating plate which is secured to the other Vend of the eccentric wheel sleeve |68 to turn with this sleeve and with the eccentric wheel. Theplate |80 supports below the shaft |10 and to one side of the vertical center of the body plate, a pivot stud |6| upon which is mounted for rocking movement the downwardly extending trigger |.82, the lower end of which is disposed directly beneath the shaft |10. This trigger, like those'oi'-,l the other embodiments, has the forwardV and rear obllquely directed contact edges |83 for engagement by the trip finger |84 which is carried by the crank |85, which in turn is secured to and supported by the shaft |10. Through the medium of this crank the desired rotary motion is imparted to the rock plate and the eccentric wheel, through the trip mechanism and subsequently to the shaft and the toothed `wardly extending arm |88 which terminates in the downwardly curving portion |81, such portion extending over the top of the shaft |10 to the forward edge of the body plate, as-shown in Figure 22.

' The numeral |88 generally designates a snap link comprising a long portion |89 which is pivotally connected at one end by means of the pivot pin |90, with the free end of the downturned terminal portion |81 of the arm |86, and a short portion |9| which has one end pivotally connected by the pin |92 with the other and lower end of the portion |89. This shorter portion of the snap link extends upwardly and slightly obliquely with respect to the normally vertically disposed portion |89 and is connected by the pivot pin |93 with the rearwardly extending terminal portion |94 of the bracket plate |95 which is secured to the forward edge of the oscillating plate |80.

Secured to the forward edge of the body plate In this construction the body plate of the implement is indicated generally by the reference character |h and the lower link of the toggle is indicated by the reference character |91. The bearing unit is indicated generally by the reference |98 and is lsecured to the body plate |h by the rivet |99 which is connected with and provides the pivot for the lower end of the link |91, as illustrated. As is shown in Figure 28, the link |91 has an aperture for the pivot pin which is slightly elongated to allow for a slight amount of vertical play.I

The bearing block box for the unit |98 is indicated generally by the reference character 200, the block being designated 20| and the underlying supporting spring. shown in dotted outline, being designated 202.

The lower end of the link |91 of the toggle bears against the top of the block 20| and thus) when the toggle is straightenedout to force the driving wheel, not shown, which is supported thereby, upwardly, the thrust is taken by the bearing block and if such thrust should be excessive the underlying spring will yield to prevent damage to the implement.

From the foregoing it is believed that it will be readily apparent that there have been described in connection with the different forms of --rotary type can opener here disclosed, several embodiments of a generally novel escapement mech- IB below the bracket plate |95 is a stop finger |96 which projects laterally into the path of movement of the lower end of the portion |89of the snap link.

From the description of the previously described forms of the invention, particularly that shown in Figures 1l and 12, it will be readily understood that upon rotation of the handle |85 counterclockwise the finger |84 will strike the forward edge |83 of the trigger and cause the plate |80 to oscillate and impart counterclockwise rotation to the eccentric -wheel |12 whereby to lower the sleeve |68 and the driving. wheel with respect to the cutting edge |66 of the knife.

When the bead at the edge of a can is inserted between the driving wheel and the edge of the knife and clockwise rotation is then given the handle, the finger |84 will be brought .around wardly it will come into contact with the xed erted against the bearing block |19 and any necessary yield will be allowed by the underlying spring.

Necessary lateral movement of the knife |64vis taken care of by the mounting of the knife upon the freely suspended forward portion |63 of the bracket |6|.

' Figures 28 and 29 show the manner of using anism which have in common a crank handle carried means engaged by a trigger or releasable holding` means whereby there is maintained an operative connection between the handle and an escapement mechanism until a desired relative movement between the can top cutting knife and the can rim driving wheel has been obtained; whereupon the actuation of a trip mechanism releases the coupling between the handle and the holding means, thus permitting continued uninterrupted rotation of the handle until the can top cutting operation is completed. Also, it will be apparent thatthe means by which the handle holding meansA is releasably held, is reset automatically by gravity upon thereverse or counterclockwise rotation of the escapement to its set position, by which is meant the position which it assumes when separation is effected between the' can rim engaging driving wheel and the cutter preparatory to the placement of a can in position. l

I claim:

1. In a can opener having a body carrying a cutter, a rotatable wheel, a rotatable eccentric carrying the wheel for moving the wheel relative to the cutter and a crank for turning the wheel: a mechanism for releasably coupling the crank and eccentric comprising a nger carried by the crank, a body securely coupled with the eccentric to turn therewith on the axis of the crank and the wheel but independently of the crank and wheel, a pivoted trigger carried by the last mentioned body and arranged to be engaged by the finger upon turning of the crank, means for securing the trigger against movement during a period of ro- Y tary movement of the last body, and trip means gagement with the iinger after a. predetermined the bearing units in comunction with a toggle link thrust means such as is illustrated in Fig- 'uxes 12 to 16 of my Patent No. 2,287,442.

for releasing the trigger for oscillation out of enrotary movement of the last body.

2. In a can opener `having a body carrying a cutter, a rotatable eccentric, a rotatable driving wheel carried by the eccentric and moved by and; upon rotation of the eccentric relative'to the c utter and a crank for turning the wheel: a mechanism for releasably coupling the crank and eccentric upon turning the crank, comprising a carrier body secured to the eccentric to turn therewith on the turning axis of the crank and wheel but independently of the latter, a trigger pivoted on the carrier body, an oscillata'ble unit on the carrier body having an active and an inactive position and functioning when in the active position to hold the trigger against oscillation, a means carried by the crank to engage the trigger upon turning the crank to effect simultaneous turning of the eccentric with the crank, and a trip nxed to the first body to engage and oscillate said unit to inactive position for release of the trigger when the eccentric has been turned in one direction to a predetermined position, the trigger when so released disengaging from the crank carried means.

3. In an escapement mechanism for releasably coupling two independently turnable elements supported for turning on a common axis, in which one element carries a coupling finger, a body secured to the other element to turn therewith on said axis, a trigger carried by the body and pivoted to oscillate on an axis paralleling the first axis, said trigger having a normal position in which it is in the path of movement of said finger,- an oscillatable unit on the body having an active and an inactive position, the unit when in active position maintaining the trigger against oscillation from its normal position whereby the trigger and nger may be coupled to effect turning of the two elements together, and a trip means arranged to contact said unit. when the body has been turned through a predetermined extent and oscillate the unit to inactive position for release of the trigger and its disengagement by swinging from the finger.

4. An escapement as set forth in claim 3, in which said unit constitutes a two-part snap link, the said two parts being pivotally coupled together and one of said parts being pivotally connected with the trigger and the other part being pivotally connected with the body.

5. In an escapement mechanism for releasably coupling two independently turnable elements supported for turning on a common axis, in which one element carries a coupling finger, -a plate secured to the other element to turn therewith on said axis, said plate and the said other element having a raised and a hanging position, a trigger pivotally attached to the plate to oscillate on an axis substantially paralleling the first axis and projecting beyond an edge of the plate, said trigger having a normal position in which it is in the path of movement of the finger, a two-part snap link having the parts thereof pivotally coupled together, one. of said link parts being pivotally attached to' the trigger and the other one of the link parts being pivotally attached to the plate in a plane between the pivotal axis of the trigger and the first axis and to one side of a line passing between said axes, said snap link having an active position in which the parts are substantially aligned to maintain the trigger 'against oscillation and an inactive position in which the link is broken and the trigger is oscillated inwardly with respect to the adjacent edge of the plate, and a fixed trip means disposed to be engaged by said link when the plate is swung from its raised to its lowered position to effect the breaking of the link.

6. An escapement mechanism as set forth in claim 3, in which said unit comprises a bar pivotally mounted intermediate its ends upon the body and adapted to have one end coupled with the trigger to maintain the latter against oscillation and engaged adjacent its other end by the trip means for the release of the trigger.

7. An escapement mechanism as set forth in claim 3, wherein said trigger carries an arm, and said unit is substantially in the form of a bellfcrank having one leg terminating in a hook adapted to engage across the end of the trigger arm and having its other leg disposed for engagement against the trip means whereby upon actuation of the unit by the trip means the said hook is disengaged from the trigger arm.

8. A rotary type can opener comprising a body plate adapted to be vertically disposed and carrying a can top cutter at its upper end, an eccentric wheel carried by the plate for rotation and carrying a sleeve winch is moved vertically simultaneously with such rotation, a driving wheel supported upon the eccentric wheel for turning movement independently thereof, a crank connected with the driving wheel for turning the latter, a plate secured to said sleeve for rotation therewith and suspended between the body plate and crank, a coupling finger carried upon the side of the crank adjacent the second mentioned plate, a trigger pivotally mounted upon the second plate to extend below the bottom edge thereof in the path .of movement of the finger, a two-part trip link connected between the trigger and second plate, said trip link having an active position in which the two parts are related in a manner to maintain the trigger against oscillation and having an inactive position in which the two parts are relatively shifted for oscillation of the-trigger out of engagement with said finger, and a fixed trip means carried by the body plate in position to engage and break the snap link when the second mentioned plate is oscillated for the turning of the eccentric wheel and the raising of the driving wheel to a predetermined position.

9. A rotary type can opener as set forth in claim 8, wherein said snap link is pivotally attached to the second plate at the side of a line passing between the rotary axis for the wheels and the rotary axis for the trigger, nearest to said trip means whereby upon oscillation of the second plate away from the trip means the snap link will be straightened by gravity to secure the trigger against oscillation.

10. A rotary type can opener as set forth in claim 8, in which the snap link is pivotally attached to the second plate upon the side of a line passing through the rotary axes for the "Wheels and for the trigger, nearest the trip means and in which the portion of the snap link which is pivotally attached to the second plate is of substantially triangular form and has the bulk of its width upon the side of the pivot between the two portions nearest the trip means whereby, upon oscillation of the second plate in a direction to effect turning of the eccentric wheel for the lowering of the driving wheel from the cutting means,l the snap link portions will shift by gravity to substantially align the pivots thereof and to lock the trigger against oscillation.

l1. A4 rotary type can opener comprising a plate body designed to be vertically disposed and carrying a cutter at its upper end, a rotary cam wheel supported upon the body, a sleeve carried by the cam Wheel and adapted to be moved vertically of the body upon rotation of the wheel, a driving wheel rotatably supported by the sleeve for turning independently thereof, a crank operatively coupled with the driving wheel for turning the latter, a coupling finger carried by the crank upon the side thereof nearest theA 'plate body, a plate secured to said sleeve for turning therewith and suspended between the first plate and the crank, the second plate having a rearwardly swung position in which the cam' is turned to shift the driving wheel away from the cutter and a hanging position in which the cam is turned to shift the driving wheel` toward the cutter, a trigger pivotally attached to the second plate to .project below the lower edge thereof in the path of movement of the finger, said trigger having a forwardly directed bill, a bar pivotally secured intermediate its ends to the second plate forwardly thereon with respect to the trigger pivot and normally extending lengthwise of the second plate, the bar having a lower end portion adapted to engage said bill to maintain the trigger against oscillation, and a trip means secured to the plate body and arranged to engage the upper end of the bar upon the swinging of the second plate in a direction to turn the cam wheel for the raising of the driving wheel relative to the cutter, to oscillate the bar and disengage the trigger for swinging movement out of engagement with the coupling finger. i

12. A rotary type can opener comprising a plate body designed to lbe vertically disposed and carrying a cutter at its upper end, a rotary cam wheel supported upon the body, a sleeve carried1 by the cam wheel and adapted to be moved vertically of the body upon rotation of the wheel, a driving wheel rotatably supported by the sleeve for turning independently thereof, a crank op- -eratively coupled with the driving Wheel for turning the latter, a coupling finger carried by the crank upon the side thereof nearest the plate body, a plate secured to said sleeve for turning therewith and suspended between the first plate and the crank, the second plate having a rearwardly swung position in which the cam is turned to shift the driving wheel away from the cutter and a hanging position in which the cam is turned to shift the driving wheel toward the Gutter, a trigger pivotally attached to the second plate at the rear of the vertical center of the axis of turning for the wheel and extending beyond the lower edge of the second plate in the path of movement of the finger, an arm integral with the trigger and extending away from said lower edge of the ser-- ond plate across the 'turning axis for the wheel, securing means for said trigger in the form of a bell-crank pivotally attached to the second plate upon the opposite side of the axes for the wheels from the pivot for the trigger, said bell-crank having one leg extending rearwardly and terminating in a hook adapted to engage across the end of the trigger arm and a second leg extending downwardly, and a trip means carried by the plate I body and adapted to engage said second leg to driving wheel rotatably supported by the sleevel for turning independently thereof, a crank operatively coupled with the driving wheel for turning the latter, .a coupling ,finger carried by the body, a plate secured to said sleeve for turning therewith and suspended between the first plate and the crank, the second plate having a rearwardly swung position in which the cam is turned to shift the driving wheel awayk from the cutter and a hanging position in which the cam is turned to shift the driving wheel toward the cutter, a trigger pivotally attached tothe second plate and extending beyond the lower edge thereof into the path of movement of said finger, an arm carried by the trigger and extending upwardly and forwardly and terminating in a downwardly curved terminal portion, said curved portion extending over the top of the axial centers for the wheels, a two-part snap link having an end pivotally attached to the terminal of said arm and having its other end pivotally attachedv to the second plate, theparts of the snap link being pivotally coupled together and in side by side relation when the second plate is hanging downwardly whereby the pivot for the said other end is disposed above the pivotal connection between the parts of the snap link, anda trip member carried by the plate body for engagement by the coupled ends of the snap link parts when the second plate has been swung.

to a position to turn the cam wheel and raise the driving wheel whereby to break the snap links and permit said trigger to oscillate out of engagement with the finger.

14. A rotary type can opener, comprising a plate carrying a cutter and having a longitudinal opening terminating at one end adjacent the cutter, a rotatable shaft extending through the opening to turn and move longitudinally therein, a can rim engaging driving wheel attached to and turning with said shaft, an escapement body supported for oscillation coaxially with the shaft, a thrust means operatively coupled between the escapement body and the plate and supporting the shaft to shift the shaft in the opening for movement of the driving wheel relative to the cutter upon oscillation of the escapement body, a handle connected with the shaft, a trip means carried by the handle adjacent the escapement body, and an escapement mechanism carried by the escapement body and having a cooperating part on the plate for effecting an operative coupling between the trip means and the escapement body and oscillation of the escapement lbody and actuation of the thrust means'to separate the driving wheel and cutter upon the turning of the handle in one direction, and for effecting an cperative coupling between the trip means and the escapement body and oscillation of the escapement body and actuation of the thrust means to move the driving wheel and cutter together upon the turning of the handle in the opposite direction, the escapement mechanism coacting with said cooperating part on the plate to uncouple from the trip means when the wheel and cutter have been brough to a predetermined relative position to allow continuous free turning of the handle.

15. A rotary type can opener comprising a plate carrying a cutter and having a longitudinal opening therein, said opening terminating at one end adjacent the cutter, a rotatable shaft extending through the opening to turn and move longitudinally therein, a can flange engaging driving wheel operatively coupled with the shaft adjacent the cutter, an escapement bedy'supported by and for oscillation coaxially with said shaft, a thrust lmeans operatively connected with and between the escapement body and the plate and supportcrank upon the side thereof nearest the plate effect movement of the driving wheel relative to the cutter upon oscillation of the escapement body, a handle connected to the shaft,a trip means connected with the handle adjacent to the escapement body, a member oscillatably supported upon the escapement body between the handle and the body and having a portion positioned for engagement by the handle trip means upon oscillation of the handle in either clockwise or counterclockwise direction, means carried by the escapement body for holding the member against oscillation when the trip means is moved into contact with the member portion upon rotation of the handle in one direction whereby to .impart oscillation to the escapement body to effect actuation of the thrust means and shifting of the driving wheel away from the cutter, a shiftable latching means carried by the escapment body functioning to secure said member against reverse oscillation when the handle trip means is brought into engagement with the opposite side of the member portion upon rotating the handle in the opposite direction whereby to impart reverse oscillation to the escapement body and actuation of the thrust means to move the driving wheel and'cutter together, and means carried by the plate for engaging and shifting the releasable holding means for the member when the `cutter and wheel have been moved together to a predetermined position, for the release of the oscillatable member to permit continued turning of the handle in the said opposite direction.

16. A rotary can opener comprising a plate carrying a cutter and having a longitudinal opening therein terminating at one end adjacent the cutter, a rotatable shaft extending through the opening to turn and move longitudinally therein, a drive wheel connected with said shaft and disposed adjacent the cutter, an escapement body supported by the shaft for oscillation coaxially therewith and independently thereof, a thrust means operatively c'oupled with the escapement body and with the plate and supporting the shaft to shift the shaft in the opening and move the driving wheel relative to the cutter upon oscillation of the escapement body, a handle connected to the shaft, a trip means carried by the handle between the handle and the escapement body, a member pivoted to the escapement body and carrying an extended portion in the path of movement of the trip means, means limiting oscillation of the member in one direction whereby upon turning the handle in one direction to bring the trip means against one side of said extended portion oscillation in one direction will be transmitted to the escapement body to actuate the thrust means in a direction to separate the driving wheel and cutter, a gravity actuated latching means which operates upon oscillation of the escapement body in the said one direction to secure the member against oscillation in the reverse direction whereby turning the handle in the opposite direction will bring the trip means against the opposite side of the extended portion and effect reverse oscillation of the escapement body to actuate the thrust means for movement of the wheel and cutter together, and means carried by the plate for shifting said latching means for release of said member as the-wheel and cutter are moved together whereby the member may turn to free the trip means from the extended portion.

17. A rotary can opener comprising an elongated body plate carrying a cutter at one end ing the shaft to shift the shaft in the opening to and having a longitudinal opening terminating at one end adjacent the cutter, a rotatable shaft extending through the opening to turn and move longitudinally therein, a driving wheel operatively connected with the shaft adjacent the cutter, an escapement plate disposed across one side of the body and having said shaft freely extended therethrough for rotation independently thereof, a thrust means operatively connected between the escapement plate and the body whereby oscillation of the escapement plate will effect the shifting of the shaft and driving wheel relative to the cutter, a handle connected with the shaft upon the side of the escapement plate remote from the 15 body, a trip means carried by the handle for `movement around the axis of the shaft, a coupler member supported on the escapement plate between the same and the handle and having opposite upper and lower ears and an intermediate ear, the intermediate ear being disposed in the path of movement of the trip means, means carried by the escapement plate adjacent the lower ear for limiting oscillation of the coupler member in one direction whereby upon counterclockwise turning of the handle thel trip means will engage the intermediate ear to effect coupling of the handle and escapement plate together and actuation of the thrust means to separate the wheel and cutter, a bellcrank pivotally attached to the escapement plate and having a latch arm movable into engagement with the upper ear to hold the coupler member against oscillation and a downwardly extending trip arm, and means carried by the body plate for engagement by the trip arm upon reverse oscillation of the escapement plate during clockwise rotation of the handle with the trip means engaging the opposite side of the intermediate ear, to effect disengagement of the latch arm from the upper ear o and the freeing of the handle from the intermediate ear to permit continued clockwise turning of the handle.

18. A rotary can opener comprising an elongated body plate carrying a cutter at one end and having a longitudinal opening therein terminating at one end adjacent the cutter, a rotatable shaft extending through the opening to turn and move longitudianlly therein, a driving wheel operatively connected with the shaft adjacent the cutter, an escapement plate disposed transversely of the body plate and having the shaft freely extended therethrough for turning independently of the shaft upon the axis of the shaft, a thrust means operatively coupled with the escapement plate and with the body to effect relative movement between the cutter and wheel upon oscillation of the escapement plate, a handle connected withthe shaft, a trip means carried by the handle, a bellcrank member pivotally attached to the escapement plate below and to one side of the shaft and having a hanging arm and a trip arm disposed in the path of movement of the trip means, means carried by the escapement plate beneath the trip arm for limiting the downward movement thereof whereby the trip arm will be engaged by the trip means upon clockwise and counterclockwise turning of the handle to limit such turning whereby clockwise and counterclockwise oscillation will be given the escapement plate to effect through the thrust means the desired relative movement between the wheel and cutter, and means carried by the body plate for engagement with the dependingA arm of the bellcrank upon a predetermined clockwise oscillation of the escapement plate to effect the shifting of actuating the same to eiect movement of the,A

driving wheel relative to said blade, and a bearing unit for said thrust means comprising means coupled with the first body and forming a boxlike receptacle beneath the thrust means, a spring disposed within and maintained in operative position by said receptacle, and a bearing body disposed in the receptacle and supported upon said spring and having said thrust means in.

operative engagement with the top'thereof.

20. In-a can opener having a at body plate, a rotatable can rim engaging driving wheel,

thrust means for effecting movementA of the wheel relative to a cutter, means for actuating the thrust means and turning the wheel, a cutter head comprising a lateral extension at one end of the body and adjacent the wheel, said ex- .tension having an edge remote from the body plate in which is formed a deep recess, a member integral with the extension at the inner edge of the recess and comprising upwardly, laterally and downwardly extending portions, said downwardly extending-portion being disposed in the recess and adapted for resilient movement therein relative to the upwardly extending portion, Vand a cutting blade secured to the downwardly extending portion between the latter and the upwardlyv extending portion and having a cutting edge extending down through the recess and positioned at one side of the plane of movement of the driving wheel for coaction therewith.

ROBERT E. McLEAN. 

